Need a fix down in Florida

Still have a chill in my bones and trying to get used to the temerature here in GA....I got back from Iraq about 3 weeks ago and want to get some trails in during the 3 weeks I have off from playing army. If it's warm I plan on going to Pisgah and Tsali, but if the weather is still chilly I will probably go down to the south (Florida) for those of us that are geographically challenged. Any good trails? I've been to Tallahassee about 2 weeks ago and rode Tom Brown and Red Bug. Looking for something longer and more challenging, to bring me back to reality.

Tallahassee/FL trail fix

Originally Posted by MtnSpectre

Still have a chill in my bones and trying to get used to the temerature here in GA....I got back from Iraq about 3 weeks ago and want to get some trails in during the 3 weeks I have off from playing army. If it's warm I plan on going to Pisgah and Tsali, but if the weather is still chilly I will probably go down to the south (Florida) for those of us that are geographically challenged. Any good trails? I've been to Tallahassee about 2 weeks ago and rode Tom Brown and Red Bug. Looking for something longer and more challenging, to bring me back to reality.

Man, if anybody needs a break, it's you, right? Thought someone woulda' chimed in by now. Maybe this sub-forum doesn't get enough hits.
If you get back to Tallahassee, it's easy hook up a longer ride starting from Higher Ground Bike Shop (850-942-2453). Their mtb shop is 1319 E. Tennessee St., corner of Magnolia & Tennessee (US90W/Mahan Drive). Park/check in there/eat at Jenny's Lunch Box. From HG, in under 1k of pavement you can be on the west terminus of Fern Trail. Fast, rolling, watch for a few neighborhood walkers around blind corners. Take Fern 2M or so east and under US319 to what you may have ridden in Tom Brown Park's ~4M Magnolia Trail. Add TB's hiking trails, if you like. Then, across the bridge in Tom Brown's east end (downhill from the K9 dog training area) onto Cadillac Trail (Lafayette Heritage Park). Don't know if you found Cadillac when you were out there. Several choices on Cadillac, from a bit technical (don't miss the Tub's drop -in uphill from the ribcage, sounds like nothing to you) to quick, fast pine straw-covered singletrack, some nice bench-cut above the RR tracks, pretty views along the lake. Head across the Second Levee after about 3M, turn right and you'll be approaching Alford Greenway Park/Coupe de Ville Trail. That's a 7M loop beyond the RR tracks, depending upon how you hook it up. Some decent doubletrack in the woods at the southeast end of Field 5, and heading along Alford Arm from there to the North Field. Back to HG the way you came, taking pieces of Cadillac and Magnolia trails you missed on the way east, if you like. Not bad, and you could park/start several places along the way, if you prefer. Water/facilities at Tom Brown, Lafayette Heritage Park playground, and Alford's Field 1 parking corral.
Links from my site with aerial photos (save 'em & print 'em out for guidance) showing surrounding areas to orient/hook all this up:http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...94/guest.phtml (Fern)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...41/guest.phtml (Magnolia)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...20/guest.phtml (IMBA Cadillac build)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...25/guest.phtml (Cadillac)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...26/guest.phtml (Cadillac 2)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...55/guest.phtml (Cadillac 3)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...62/guest.phtml (Lafayette Heritage)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...04/guest.phtml (Alford)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...73/guest.phtml (Alford 2)
There are "albums" on the site showing some shots of what you rode at Red Bug, plus Munson, Overstreet/Blair Witch (across Meridian from Red Bug), Miccosukee Greenway (15M out-and back), San Luis, and whatever else is slipping my mind right now. Like the 6 albums titled "Mountainbike!" Everything's arranged alphabetically, page by page over the site's 13 pages. If it's useful, email if you find any "dead" photos. Occasionally, the CP server burps a shot off the site, leaving just a caption.
If you want to try elsewhere in FL, how 'bout:http://omba.org/ (Ocala)http://www.ridgeriders.net/home.html (Lakeland)http://www.porc.org/ (Pensacola)
Our Tallahassee bike clubs/sites do not have their act together re mtb like these guys!
Hope it works out.
Better yet, hope they don't need you and your buddies to go back "east" for any more nation building.
Johnjoka51@juno.comhttp://members3.clubphoto.com/john272201 "Tallahassee Trails"

Man, if anybody needs a break, it's you, right? Thought someone woulda' chimed in by now. Maybe this sub-forum doesn't get enough hits.
If you get back to Tallahassee, it's easy hook up a longer ride starting from Higher Ground Bike Shop (850-942-2453). Their mtb shop is 1319 E. Tennessee St., corner of Magnolia & Tennessee (US90W/Mahan Drive). Park/check in there/eat at Jenny's Lunch Box. From HG, in under 1k of pavement you can be on the west terminus of Fern Trail. Fast, rolling, watch for a few neighborhood walkers around blind corners. Take Fern 2M or so east and under US319 to what you may have ridden in Tom Brown Park's ~4M Magnolia Trail. Add TB's hiking trails, if you like. Then, across the bridge in Tom Brown's east end (downhill from the K9 dog training area) onto Cadillac Trail (Lafayette Heritage Park). Don't know if you found Cadillac when you were out there. Several choices on Cadillac, from a bit technical (don't miss the Tub's drop -in uphill from the ribcage, sounds like nothing to you) to quick, fast pine straw-covered singletrack, some nice bench-cut above the RR tracks, pretty views along the lake. Head across the Second Levee after about 3M, turn right and you'll be approaching Alford Greenway Park/Coupe de Ville Trail. That's a 7M loop beyond the RR tracks, depending upon how you hook it up. Some decent doubletrack in the woods at the southeast end of Field 5, and heading along Alford Arm from there to the North Field. Back to HG the way you came, taking pieces of Cadillac and Magnolia trails you missed on the way east, if you like. Not bad, and you could park/start several places along the way, if you prefer. Water/facilities at Tom Brown, Lafayette Heritage Park playground, and Alford's Field 1 parking corral.
Links from my site with aerial photos (save 'em & print 'em out for guidance) showing surrounding areas to orient/hook all this up:http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...94/guest.phtml (Fern)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...41/guest.phtml (Magnolia)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...20/guest.phtml (IMBA Cadillac build)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...25/guest.phtml (Cadillac)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...26/guest.phtml (Cadillac 2)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...55/guest.phtml (Cadillac 3)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...62/guest.phtml (Lafayette Heritage)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...04/guest.phtml (Alford)http://members3.clubphoto.com/john27...73/guest.phtml (Alford 2)
There are "albums" on the site showing some shots of what you rode at Red Bug, plus Munson, Overstreet/Blair Witch (across Meridian from Red Bug), Miccosukee Greenway (15M out-and back), San Luis, and whatever else is slipping my mind right now. Like the 6 albums titled "Mountainbike!" Everything's arranged alphabetically, page by page over the site's 13 pages. If it's useful, email if you find any "dead" photos. Occasionally, the CP server burps a shot off the site, leaving just a caption.
If you want to try elsewhere in FL, how 'bout:http://omba.org/ (Ocala)http://www.ridgeriders.net/home.html (Lakeland)http://www.porc.org/ (Pensacola)
Our Tallahassee bike clubs/sites do not have their act together re mtb like these guys!
Hope it works out.
Better yet, hope they don't need you and your buddies to go back "east" for any more nation building.
Johnjoka51@juno.comhttp://members3.clubphoto.com/john272201 "Tallahassee Trails"

Wow! Thanks for all that! I will most likely head on down that way again. Thanks again for all the help and the links.

Still have a chill in my bones and trying to get used to the temerature here in GA....I got back from Iraq about 3 weeks ago and want to get some trails in during the 3 weeks I have off from playing army. If it's warm I plan on going to Pisgah and Tsali, but if the weather is still chilly I will probably go down to the south (Florida) for those of us that are geographically challenged. Any good trails? I've been to Tallahassee about 2 weeks ago and rode Tom Brown and Red Bug. Looking for something longer and more challenging, to bring me back to reality.

Enjoy your time off dude, you've earned it.

Good trails in FL, nothing in the south right now, but here's a few up north and west:

Alafia - Outside of Tampa. Very technical trails with real quick and steep ups and downs. Campsites at the trails. One of my favorites.

San Felasco - North of Gainesville. About 20 - 25 miles of amazing singletrack, some small jumps, lots of roots, very scenic, tons of wildlife. I used to ride this trail almost daily when I was in school at UF and really miss it now that I'm back down south.

Razorback - Near Ocala. 11 mile hardcore XC race loop with long climbs and lots of technical singeltrack. A fun place if you're in good shape and like to hurt.

SANTOS - south of Ocala. This place just got a major facelift and is in great shape for riding. I think there are around 50-60 miles of trail out there of all skill levels. Also IMBA just finished a new freeride area with drops, dirtjumps, and a trail with lots of skinnys and rocks. Campsites at trailhead, but make reservations because it was full this weekend.

I highly suggest you try out Santos. I rode there this weekend and it is amazing.
there's my two cents. have fun

Good trails in FL, nothing in the south right now, but here's a few up north and west:

Alafia - Outside of Tampa. Very technical trails with real quick and steep ups and downs. Campsites at the trails. One of my favorites.

San Felasco - North of Gainesville. About 20 - 25 miles of amazing singletrack, some small jumps, lots of roots, very scenic, tons of wildlife. I used to ride this trail almost daily when I was in school at UF and really miss it now that I'm back down south.

Razorback - Near Ocala. 11 mile hardcore XC race loop with long climbs and lots of technical singeltrack. A fun place if you're in good shape and like to hurt.

SANTOS - south of Ocala. This place just got a major facelift and is in great shape for riding. I think there are around 50-60 miles of trail out there of all skill levels. Also IMBA just finished a new freeride area with drops, dirtjumps, and a trail with lots of skinnys and rocks. Campsites at trailhead, but make reservations because it was full this weekend.

I highly suggest you try out Santos. I rode there this weekend and it is amazing.
there's my two cents. have fun

Hey thanks for the info. I think I may have enough do do now...lol. Oh and sorry about you going to UF....lol...wife went there. I'm a FSU fan.